The Grand Tour

When I first started working in the West End, I thought I'd spend my lunchtimes in the great galleries - the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery and the Photographers' Gallery - which are all pretty much on our doorstep. Whilst I do probably make it into the Photographers Gallery every month or so, I've only been down to the other two a few times in nearly three years. I have the best intentions to be more cultured but I usually get sidetracked by the shops!

But there is now, there is a solution - Grand Tour. The National Gallery has hung masterpieces at various points around Soho, on the outside walls of shops and restaurants. So I can take in a bit of culture whilst I shop!

I was initially a bit confused by this project as the captions claim that they've hung "priceless masterpieces" which made me concerned about how they were surviving in this weather. Was somebody taking them down at the first signs of rain, or holding a brolly over them? Or were they unconcerned with the damage in their quest to bring the art to the people? Actually, none of those - it turns out they are merely copies - the real deals are still safely in the National Gallery, away from the unseasonal weather.

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